Garden of Stars

I’m still not thrilled with the black and copper print for Garden of Stars so, since we were coming home by way of Simi today, we made a quick-ish stop at Quilty Pleasures. 

The hexi dots on the left is not usually my thing but I love this. And may have bought all that was left on the bolt…

Anyone surprised I bought more than just the black fabric* I needed? Hubby even got involved, bringing bolts to the counter ‘just in case’ I might need like them. 

I’ll make a test block to be sure, but I think I’m going to like this Steampunk Halloween fabric much better. 

This is Teena’s fault. She told me about an online sale at Jordan fabrics and how could I resist? Everything except the collection of blue fat quarters ⬆️ was part of a one-pound mystery bag of batik ‘leftovers’. I love a sale and a mystery, plus was curious if the cuts would be scraps or actually useful. 

Most are useful sizes and only a couple are colors I really don’t like. Lots of possibilities - maybe use the top bunch in a bright scrappy quilt or the green fat quarters (bottom left) in a HST project. Would I buy the mystery bag again? Maybe if it was on sale…

*Simi shop yardage. 

Breaking Ground

We’ve been planning a new project since before we took Jac home (July 20-ish). The contractor had given us a start date 2 weeks from now, but they finished a job early and would we like to start sooner… like in 2 days? Yes please!

Before

The back yard has gone through a lot of changes over the years, the most recent when Pop put in an above ground pool for the grands. Turns out there were a LOT of roots hiding under the dirt - he had to dig down over 18” to get past them.

Now that the grands have moved away, the pool is gone and it’s time to replace it with something attractive but low maintenance. 

Demolition started this morning and tomorrow we’re shopping for cement pavers that will go from house to fence. The contractor is also connecting all the downspouts to underground piping so rain coming off the roof will go directly out to the street. Hooray!

My favorite part so far is the cleaned out connector between the 2 yard sections. The hibiscus on the left ⬆️ is probably 40 years old - it was here when we moved in. I feel a little sad to see it go, but it’s filled with icky morning glory vines and not growing or flowering much anymore. Time for a change. 

Timeline for completion is 3 weeks and counting … 

Garden of Stars BOM

I’m a big fan of Carol Doak’s FPP Star designs. One of the first FPP projects I undertook when I was a newbie quilter was a block-a-month from one of her books. I learned so much!

So when I found her group on Faceb**k, and learned she leads a free annual BOM of new designs just for group members, I couldn’t sign up fast enough.

Making fabric decisions is the hardest part for me. Too much second-guessing…

This year’s project started July 1 but I was trying to finish the birds - and Jac was here - so I’m just now getting going. 

 First quarter of Alternating block done.

July’s homework was to make 12 ‘alternating’ blocks that will go between the monthly stars. I made one today, with fabrics entirely from my stash, to test colors and design choices. I love this block so much, I’d be happy to have an entire quilt made just with it. 

 Really not sure about that black - the copper flecks aren’t working for me. Use it because it’s in the stash and hubby likes it? Or break my ‘rules’ and go shopping?

Now I need to check if that deep violet batik is going to bleed… should have checked it before I started but who thinks of that when Start-itis is upon you??

Cat-a-Palooza

It’s been a crazy week for cat stories. 

Early in the week, Mary stopped traffic to rescue a kitten from the middle of a road (kitty’s sibling wasn’t so lucky 😔.) They named her Princess Muffin Top… until the vet visit a few days later when they discovered he will need a new name. 

Such a cute little boy! Update! His name is Saber.

Next day, my niece in Oregon found and rescued a couple of two-ish week old kittens while on her morning walk. She’s already found them a home. 😍

Our cats missed me us while we were taking Jac home. Coco hasn’t been much of a lap cat since we got her in May but she’s practically living in my lap since we got home. 

My favorite refrain - “I’d get up but it wouldn’t be right to disturb the cat…” 

Ginger will flop on Pop or me, whomever is closer. Both girls love him.

We’re still trying to get the cats used to each other. There were lots of hisses and growls the first day I left the bedroom door open for them to get acquainted.

 Hissing from the high ground

It stopped fairly quickly and they sat watching each other with only occasional outbursts from Ginger.

I think Coco would really like to be friends. She sits at the top of the stairs or on the landing waiting for Ginger to come out.

And Ginger? Yesterday she had an hissy fit and ran under the bed as soon as Coco appeared. 

Today she hissed twice, then stretched out beside me while keeping an eye on the intruder. Hey, it’s progress!

Giant Spoonbill

Technically, this is a Roseate Spoonbill but it’s a giant piece of paper-piecing. And? It’s finished!

22 x 33”

I’ve been putting this off since February, almost entirely because of the size. It really wasn’t that bad… if you don’t count the piece I accidentally printed twice - and sewed fabric onto both - then couldn’t understand why nothing fit together. 🙄

This probably doesn’t count as a true fabric ‘chicken’ but I only had a fat quarter of this fabric, and I’d been cutting into it with abandon, not realizing the last pattern piece needed a big piece of pink. Shoulda planned better but it fit! Felt like I won the lottery. (I’m easily amused…) Only one bird left to go!

Last Day

The girls were not overly happy with the start of our day. 

We hitched a ride from Marie (on her way to work) 

to the far side of River Front Park 

where there’s a playground Jac said she wanted to revisit. 

The plan was to walk back to the hotel, via a second playground, while also providing exercise entertainment to River the Dog. 

The playgrounds were a bust (too hot)

and the lovely river views from the two bridges we hadn’t yet been on (I think there are 5 in the park?)

did not make up for the heat and the 3/4 mile hike, in the girls’ view. 

What’s a grandparent to do?? 

Bribe them with ice cream, then drive to lunch at one of their favorite restaurants 

with the car’s air conditioning set to “icicles hanging from our ears.”

That’s the end of Adventures With Jaclyn for this year. 

Jac said her family was coming to us for Christmas, to which her mom replied, “say what???” So I guess that’s not happening. 😜 

Jac also said this was the Best Trip Ever and the first of her now annual summer visits. Going to hold her to that. 😍

Riverfront Park, Spokane

We covered some ground today! 

Our original idea was to have a nice lunch then visit the Mobius Discovery Museum, parking as close as we could since Marie is in a walking ‘boot’ for her sprained ankle. Simple, easy, done.

But! 

The SkyRide was right! there! just across from the museum. 

Lots of art pieces along the riverbed. The metal horse and rider was a family favorite.

We outvoted Jac (she’s not a fan of heights) and it was wonderful. 

Such great views of the river and big falls (not to be confused with the ‘little’ falls in yesterday’s pics). 

And the spider web just over Pop’s shoulder…

We’d read that the Discovery museum was small so thought the girls would

whoosh in, see the exhibits and zoom out.

Nope! The only thing that got them back out the doors, a solid two hours later, was the museum’s closing time. 

So many well thought-out, hands-on activities to keep toddlers to teens engaged. 

Giant bubble machine,

making/flying paper airplanes,

excavating dinosaur bones,

petting crested geckos,

and so much more.

Pop had the bright idea to have dinner at the original Frank’s diner. We thought we were headed there last trip but ended up at their second location, miles away from downtown. This Frank’s was about 6 minutes from our hotel.

The portions are huge, everything is fresh and delicious. Leo’s eyes about popped out of her head from the size of her fancy waffle. 

 Day and night view across the river, plus Jac’s favorite blood moon (oh, the stories she invented for why it’s red! I’m going to miss that…)

Jac is spending the night with us for the last time (😩). We’ll spend tomorrow afternoon with Jac, Leo and River the dog, then Tuesday we fly home. And maybe sleep for a week. It’s been a great trip!